Customer Reviews

Gangs, Prisons, Parole $ The Politics Behind Them

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A voice rarely heard speaking on the subject speaks out on America's prison systems - a prisoner himself. "Gangs, Prisons, Parole: The Politics Behind Them" is his message, and surprisingly, it isn't what you'd expect from a Texas convict. Speaking intellectually, he states that America has ignored its 'War on Gangs', and states that gangs do more damage financially each year than foreign terrorists. Why doesn't America do more about it? The reformed prisoner and Ex-gang leader in his own right also speaks on the current problems of the Texas prison system, with an eye corrupt figures and those who guard them. "Gangs, Prisons, Parole: The Politics Behind Them" is highly recommended for community library collections on social issues and for anyone who wants a closer eye look on one of America's forgotten problems.

Bobby Delgado takes the reader on a disturbing and graphic journey into the Texas prison system. He explains and tries to make the reader understand and sympathise (I did) how 'good guys' can still find their way in and once incarcerated stand little chance of ever turning their lives around. One can understand how this happens and can blame the institutional racism from the town sheriff, and the lawyers and the guards and of course the gangs within the system too. It appears everyone is some sort of racist. Delgado himself, whilst perhaps not realising it suffers from the disease too. All too often he is bitter against the 'White Man' (Who can blame him, after what he's been through at their brutal hands?) but he must also realise that there are bad apples in every box. I was further disturbed at his comments on homosexuals early on in the book and again would remind him that homosexuals like blacks and Hispanics in America (or so it seems in Texas) are a minority persecuted group.
Nevertheless, despite the faults in this book Delgado tells it how it is and the book makes fascinating if not disturbing reading.